Thanks to Real Simple’s new issue that’s all about organizing I’ve been on an all-out organizational bender for the past week and a half…and I haven’t even cracked open the magazine! Guess I just needed to put out into the universe that I was ready to start and voila – I started.
Funny how that works.
Anyway, first up was my pantry’s rice/grain drawer which is always packed to the gills. I usually prefer brown while Ben likes white, but we both love wild rice blends and make a pot all the time as an easy yet hearty side dish with dinner. Needless to say, this drawer benefited from a little TLC!
I used the aforementioned wild rice blend to give our standard side dish a little zing. Caramelized Sweet Potato and Kale Fried Wild Rice was the result!
Fried rice meets sizzling salad meets HELLO delicious in this yummy, one-skillet stir fried side dish that’s full of tongue-tingling flavor.
Here’s the scoop: wild rice cooked in chicken broth is stir fried with caramelized sweet potatoes and crumbled cooked kale in a zippy Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette then sprinkled with roasted salted pepitas. It’s wild. Your eyes see stir fry, but your tongue tastes warm rice salad with pops of dijon, maple, and sweet potato. So, so awesome – and definitely not too sweet.
If you’re stuck in a side dish rut, make this fried wild rice with a side of sauteed chicken or even pork tenderloin (which will undoubtedly take a back seat to this succulent stir fry!)
Start by cooking 3/4 cups wild rice blend in chicken broth instead of water according to package directions. You can absolutely make this a day or two ahead of time to save some…time!
Meanwhile remove 1/2 bunch curly kale from the stems then chop to get 4 packed cups chopped kale. This is a great intro dish to kale for newbies as it’s very tender in the end.
Tip: to easily strip the kale from the stems, grip the leaves at the thickest end of the stem then pull the stem out with the other hand (kind of like stripping fresh thyme leaves from the stem.) Saves SO much time!
Fill a wok or large skillet with water then bring to a boil. Add kale and a heavy dash of salt then boil until tender, 4-5 minutes. Drain then, when the kale is cool enough to handle, squeeze the excess moisture out and crumble – just like you would do to a package of frozen spinach.
Next, chop 1 medium-sized sweet potato into 1/2″ cubes to get 1-1/2 cups sweet potatoes. First peel the potato then cut it in half. Next, slice each half into 1/2″ planks.
Lay the planks on their side then cut into 1/2″ slices, and then chop. Voila, sweet potato cubes!
Add the sweet potatoes to 1 Tablespoon butter, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, and a dash of salt in the wok over medium-high heat then stir fry until tender and caramelized, 8-10 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix up the Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette. That’s just 2 Tablespoons each extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, 1 Tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 2 minced garlic cloves, salt, and pepper. Add the ingredients to a jar with a tight fitting lid then shake, shake, shake!
Add the cooked rice and kale to the caramelized sweet potatoes then drizzle in the vinaigrette and toss until sizzling.
Whee!
Scoop onto plates then sprinkle with roasted and salted pepitas (pumpkin seeds, y’all.) You can usually find these right in the bulk bins and they add a wonderful crunch.
Caramelized Sweet Potato and Kale Fried Wild Rice is unexpected, filling, and seriously delish. Although there’s both maple syrup and brown sugar in the recipe I don’t think it’s too sweet as the wild rice simmered in chicken broth and kale offset the sweetness. Hope you enjoy!
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Caramelized Sweet Potato and Kale Fried Wild Rice
Description
Caramelized Sweet Potato and Kale Fried Wild Rice is a flavor-packed side dish that is anything but forgettable!
Ingredients
- 3/4 cups wild rice blend + chicken broth to cook it in
- 1 Tablespoons butter or vegan butter
- 1-1/2 cups 1/2″ cubed sweet potato (about 1 medium-sized sweet potato)
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 4 cups packed chopped curly kale (about 1/2 bunch)
- 1/4 cup roasted and salted pepitas
- For the Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette:
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, microplaned or finely minced
- salt and pepper
Directions
- Prepare rice according to package instructions using chicken or vegetable broth in place of water. Set aside. (Can be made ahead of time.)
- Add ingredients for Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette in a jar with a tight fitting lid then shake to combine and set aside.
- Fill a wok or large skillet with water then bring to a boil. Add a heavy dash of salt and kale then boil until tender, 4-5 minutes. Drain, then when kale is cool enough to handle, squeeze out excess water with hands, crumble, and then set aside.
- Turn heat down to medium-high then melt butter in skillet. Add brown sugar and sweet potatoes, season with salt, then saute until tender and caramelized, 8-10 minutes.
- Add kale, cooked rice and Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette to the wok then toss to combine. Serve topped with pepitas.
Notes
To easily strip the kale from the stems, grip the leaves at the thickest end of the stem then pull the stem out with the other hand (kind of like stripping fresh thyme leaves from the stem.)
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
josette 11.26.2014
can this be made in advance? i’d like to make it for thanksgiving tomorrow. it would be helpful to have it already made.
Kristin 11.30.2014
Hi Josette! I’m sorry I didn’t get to this before the holiday! While I did enjoy this recipe reheated for a holiday I’d probably make it fresh. I hope you enjoyed it!
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[…] I went on Pinterest and found a couple vegan recipes to make for the week. I ended up choosing a sweet potato and kale rice dish and falafel for my dinners, salads for my lunches and cinnamon buns and oatmeal for my […]
Ellie 11.17.2014
I saw this recipe and just had to try it – it’s AWESOME! I’m giving you a shoutout and sharing it with my followers tomorrow!
gooddayelliemay.com
Lynette 11.13.2014
Made this dish and was loved by all! Made for a great lunch with leftovers. Here is my question…I used a box of Uncle Ben’s wild rice, in my defense it was on hand, I added the seasoning package. I thought it tasted off because of this. What is your opinion? I am making it tomorrow and will use just wild rice no seasoning. Just wondering…
Thanks
Kristin 11.16.2014
Since the recipe comes with its own specific seasonings, any seasoning including in the rice packet will make the dish taste off. I’d recommend sticking with plain wild rice!
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[…] Caramelized sweet potato and kale fried rice was the first recipe we found on Iowa Girl Eats, and we were hooked! Kristin Porter, the eponymous Iowa girl, writes delicious, easy-to-follow weekly menus of food that are “as healthy as [her] sweet tooth allows!” She also links tons of workouts, everything from straight cardio to easy treadmill workouts. This is a great way to combine diet and exercise in one blog! […]
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Sarah w 11.02.2014
Has anybody eaten this leftover? Cold or hot? Did it work or is it mainly a “fresh” make and eat that night sort of dish?
Kristin 11.02.2014
I ate it cold leftover for a couple days and it was great! (If you like cold rice – most like it warmed up a little.)
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[…] Sweet Potato and Kale with Rice […]
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Jenice Taggart 10.24.2014
My son was visiting this week from Boise helping to get house and garden ready for winter. Made this rice dish and he loved it. Added more sweet potatoes and Kale and now enjoying the leftover. For me it is a meal but he had protein with it. I love all your recipes and especially the stories about your family and son Lincoln. Look forward to your blogs.
April_the_Trainer 10.23.2014
Even though I’m not a big fan of kale, I really, really love this recipe. :) Do you know any other addition which goes well with this meal?
Kristin 10.23.2014
I think a pork tenderloin would go perfect with it – or seared chicken!
Karen 10.21.2014
We had this tonight and it was DELICIOUS!! I used a wild rice and quinoa blend I already had, and baked some chicken breasts–I diced those and threw them on top. YUM! Thanks for sharing!
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Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite 10.20.2014
Wow this looks so so delicious! I love that this fried rice is so different from any other recipe I’ve seen! Can’t wait to try this one!
Elana 10.20.2014
I just made this and wanted to say it is so good. Lots of flavor. Easy enough to make. I may add more sweet potato next time and may see what its like without as much brown sugar and butter… but not sure if I want to mess with this. It’s very good as is.
Kristin 10.20.2014
I tested this recipe with 2 cups sweet potato and the kale and wild rice really took a back seat which is why I reduced it to 1-1/2 cups. If you really love sweet potato though, 2 cups is good too!
Christa Marchant 10.20.2014
Just had to comment as I made this last night and it was delicious!!! Super easy and SOOOO flavorful! I can’t wait to make it again. Thanks!!
Kristin 10.20.2014
Plain almond milk should work just fine!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine 10.18.2014
That looks so ridiculously good! This would make a great weekday lunch. Pinning and trying soon!
Carly @ Sharing My Joy 10.17.2014
GAH that looks delicious! Such a great combo of flavors. Perfect for fall!!
Holly 10.17.2014
This would be a wonderful side dish at Thanksgiving! Always looking for ways to spice up the traditional. :-)
Carrie 10.17.2014
I made this last night and it’s amazing!!!! Great recipe and SO EASY. I used a wild rice blend from Whole Foods.